A NYC report titled "Bicyclist Fatalities and Serious Injuries in New York City 1996-2005" states that only one fatal crash with a motor vehicle occurred when a bicyclist was in a marked bicycle lane.

This summer I have observed increased bicycle traffic on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Belle Harbor and Neponsit. Tens of bicycles can be seen traveling on this road despite the fact that it is not safe for cycling and in past years a number of cyclists have been injured there. The curbside lane, which is planned to be converted to the bicycle lane, is rarely used by local drivers, the ups and downs of the road make cars feel unstable and locals prefer to drive in the left lane. Except the greenway along the seawall on the Jamaica Bay side, which will be expensive and will take years to build, Rockaway Beach Boulevard is the only logical option for the bicycle lane. Beach Channel Drive has heavy and fast traffic, and bicycle lanes through Cronston or Newport Avenue will require routing on the side streets.

In my opinion residents along this stretch of Rockaway Beach Boulevard can only benefit from the bicycle lane. Drivers will be more cautious, some of the commercial and through traffic will switch to the Beach Channel Drive. The result will be a safer and quieter neighborhood with less traffic and a safe route for cycling.

Bike lanes on the boulevard would create more danger for cars and bikes. What would happen when a bus, garbage truck, school bus, etc. needs to stop? The traffic would back up and the yahoos would go racing up the side streets. What would happen if a car were going too slow or a car backed up traffic waiting to make a left turn? The yahoos would drive into the bike lane to pass. It happens in Breezy and it would happen here. My driveway is on the boulevard and I have a hard enough time entering and leaving it without someone on my rear bumper. With one available lane, accidents will increase, not decrease. Right now the bicycles are more visible and most cars stay out of the right lane anyway.